Joker 2 Ending Explained: A Deconstruction of Arthur Fleck’s Tragic Journey

Arthur Fleck, the man who donned the infamous Joker persona, has always been a tragic figure. His favourite song, “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra, perfectly encapsulates his cruel existence. Its melancholic lyrics like “You’re riding high in April, shot down in May,” mirror the bleak ups and downs Arthur experiences. From the moment we first meet him in Todd Phillips’ Joker, it’s clear he is a deeply troubled man, desperate to bring joy to others yet constantly denied any happiness himself.

But what happens when this once-promising supervillain’s story takes an unexpected turn? In Joker: Folie à Deux, we witness not the rise of Gotham’s most feared criminal, but rather the unmaking of the Joker mythos entirely. It’s a film that deconstructs Arthur Fleck’s identity as Joker, stripping away the comic book trappings that fans may have expected.

The Beginning of Arthur Fleck’s Downfall

The first Joker film ended with a shocking climax: Arthur shooting the beloved talk show host Murray Franklin on live television. This act of violence seemed to signal the birth of the Joker we all know from the Batman universe, a criminal mastermind who thrives on chaos and anarchy. Yet, as Joker: Folie à Deux begins, we quickly realize this isn’t the path Arthur is destined to follow.

The sequel opens with Arthur locked away in Arkham Asylum, far from the revolution he inadvertently started. Despite the chaos he unleashed in Gotham, Arthur is still very much the broken, lonely man we met in the first film. His Joker persona, once a mask to hide his pain, is now a heavy burden he can’t shake off. And although Joker: Folie à Deux is marketed as a musical, Arthur never once sings his favourite song, “That’s Life.” Instead, it’s the haunting tune that plays as Arthur takes his final breath, brutally murdered by a fellow inmate in Arkham. The song becomes the soundtrack to his demise, a fittingly cruel end to his tragic life.

Joker’s End: A Brutal and Unexpected Conclusion

The ending of Joker: Folie à Deux is both shocking and inevitable. After all the violence, chaos, and failed attempts at finding meaning, Arthur is ultimately killed by someone who idolized him. In a gruesome twist, Arthur’s killer carves a Glasgow smile into his own face, symbolizing the birth of a new Joker. But this new Joker is not Arthur Fleck. Instead, Arthur’s death represents the end of his journey and the beginning of another’s descent into madness.

It’s a bold move by Todd Phillips, a deliberate departure from the typical comic book narrative. Fans who expected Arthur to rise as Gotham’s criminal kingpin, clashing with Batman, are left disappointed. Arthur never faces Batman, never rules the underworld, and never becomes the iconic Joker we’ve come to know. Instead, his story ends in tragedy, with his persona co-opted by someone else.

Joker 2: A Trial of Both Arthur and the First Film

Joker: Folie à Deux is not just a sequel; it’s a commentary on the reception of the first Joker movie. The film faced significant controversy when it was released, with critics labelling it dangerous and some fans idolizing Arthur as a symbol of rebellion. Joker: Folie à Deux addresses these polarized reactions head-on by centering much of its plot around Arthur’s trial.

Arthur’s trial becomes a metaphor for the debate surrounding the first film. On one side, there’s the young prosecutor Harvey Dent, representing the system that wants to condemn Arthur as a monster. On the other side, there are Arthur’s disturbing followers, who see him as a hero who sparked a revolution. These two extremes mirror the public’s reaction to the first Joker film critics who saw it as irresponsible, and fans who perhaps took its message too literally.

However, the film insists that both sides missed the point. Arthur was never a hero, nor was he a monster. He was a victim of a cruel and uncaring society, a man whose mental illness was ignored until it consumed him. His defense lawyer, Maryanne Stewart, is the only person who seems to understand Arthur’s humanity. She argues that Arthur’s violent actions stem from years of abuse and neglect, a tragic consequence of a broken system.

Harley Quinn: The Manipulative Fangirl

One of the most anticipated elements of Joker: Folie à Deux was the introduction of Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. Yet, this Harley is nothing like the character fans are familiar with. She’s not the devoted sidekick to the Joker, nor does she share his chaotic love for mayhem. Instead, she’s a manipulative fangirl who becomes obsessed with Arthur for all the wrong reasons.

Harley, or Lee Quinzel in this version, is an avatar for the worst parts of modern fan culture. She doesn’t love Arthur; she loves the idea of him as Joker. She exploits Arthur’s vulnerabilities, encouraging him to embrace his Joker persona, but when Arthur reveals that he’s not really the Joker, she abandons him. Her character serves as a critique of those who idolized the first film’s version of Arthur, seeing him as a revolutionary figure rather than the deeply troubled man he truly is.

The Joker Mythos Torn Apart

In many ways, Joker: Folie à Deux is an anti-sequel. It deconstructs the very foundation it was built on, systematically tearing down the comic book elements that made Joker such a cultural phenomenon. Harvey Dent doesn’t become Two-Face, Harley Quinn leaves Arthur in his darkest moment, and Arthur’s Joker persona is revealed to be nothing more than a coping mechanism for his deep-seated loneliness.

The film’s refusal to follow the traditional comic book storyline is sure to divide audiences. Those who expected an epic showdown between Batman and Joker will be disappointed. But for others, the film’s subversion of expectations may be seen as a bold and necessary move. Joker: Folie à Deux doesn’t just continue Arthur’s story it dismantles it, leaving behind only the hollow shell of a man who never truly became the Joker.

The Tragic Finale: “You Get What You Deserve”

The final moments of Joker: Folie à Deux are both tragic and poetic. As Arthur bleeds out on the floor of Arkham, he hears the words that once defined his Joker persona: “You get what you fucking deserve.” But this time, the words aren’t spoken by Arthur they’re spoken by his killer, a fan who turned on him when he realized Arthur wasn’t the Joker he idolized.

It’s a bitter ending, one that strips Arthur of any remaining dignity. He’s not the villain we expected him to become, nor is he the hero some fans saw him as. He’s simply a broken man, crushed by the weight of his own failures and the expectations of those around him.

In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux is a film about misinterpretation. Arthur Fleck was never meant to be a symbol of revolution or chaos. He was a man who needed help, who was failed by society at every turn. And yet, in death, his legacy is misunderstood, co-opted by those who never truly saw him for who he was.

A Bold but Divisive Sequel

Joker: Folie à Deux is sure to spark debate among fans and critics alike. It’s a film that defies expectations, choosing to dismantle the Joker mythos rather than build upon it. For some, this bold approach will be seen as a brilliant subversion of the comic book genre. For others, it may feel like a betrayal of what the first film set up.

But one thing is clear: Joker: Folie à Deux is a deeply personal and introspective film, one that forces us to confront our own perceptions of Arthur Fleck and the world he inhabits. It’s not the sequel we expected, but perhaps it’s the one we needed.